Central Information Commission
Debuli Devi vs State Bank Of India on 6 October, 2016
Central Information Commission
Room No.307, II Floor, B Wing, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066
website-cic.gov.in
Complaint No. CIC/MP/C/2016/000079
Complainant : Late Smt. Debuli Devi, Pithoragarh
Public Authority : State Bank of India, New Delhi
Date of Hearing : September 20, 2016
Date of Decision : September 20, 2016
Present:
Complainant : Not present
Respondent : Shri Raj Kumar, CM & ACPIO, at CIC
RTI application : 18.12.2015
CPIO's reply : 13.07.2016
First appeal : --
FAA's order : --
Complaint : 24.02.2016
ORDER
1. Late Smt. Debuli Devi, the complainant, sought information on six points pertaining to the non-payment of pension in her account maintained with the respondent bank, after the death of her husband, Shri Vishan Singh, asking for the reasons of non-payment; and seeking information regarding legal recourse on the event of non-payment, inter alia.
2. The CPIO did not respond to the complainant's RTI application. Dissatisfied, she approached the Commission stating that she was undergoing physical, mental and financial trauma as a result of non-provision of information by the public authority.
3. The matter was heard by the Commission. The deceased complainant's representatives were not present despite a notice of hearing having been sent to the complainant. The respondent stated that after appropriate revision, the arrears had already been paid to the complainant. He informed the Commission that her PPO number was not included in her pension file. This was also intimated to the complainant vide letter dated 15.01.2016. He stated that the record office had issued a photocopy of the PPO and even though under normal circumstances, the payments were not made on the basis of photocopies, they made an exception in the present case and considering the complainant's old age, they deposited the Lifetime Arrears (LTA) to the tune of Rs. 1,76,630/-, in her account on 05.07.2016. They communicated the same to the complainant vide letter dated 13.07.2016. He also brought to the attention of the Commission that the complainant had expired on 04.05.2016 and as such family pension could not be continued. However, they would make payments to the legal heirs of Smt. Debuli Devi as and when they apply. The deceased complainant's representatives were not present to indicate any shortcoming in the response provided by the respondent.
4. The Commission is of the view that information, as available and disclosable, under the provisions of the RTI Act 2005, has already been provided to the complainant. It is, however, singularly unfortunate that the CPIO had not responded to the complainant within the prescribed period of time and by the time the disbursing authority, i.e., the SBI sanctioned the pension, the complainant was no more and obviously could not utilize the amount during her life time. This indicates complete indifference and apathy on the part of the CPIO. The Commission advises that pensioners' cases should be dealt with as expeditiously as possible so that such incidents do not recur. The CPIO is issued a show cause notice under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act for not responding to the RTI application. He is further directed to check the record to find out about the legal heirs of the pensioner so that the amount lying with the bank can reach the correct beneficiary. The complaint is closed.
(Manjula Prasher) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy:
(T.K. Mohapatra) Dy Secy & Dy Registrar Tele No. 011-26105027 Copy to :
The Central Public Information Officer State Bank of India CPPC, Dani Chowk Branch premises Chandni Chowk, Delhi-110 006 Smt. Debuli Devi Village-Jhalisera Post-Ghigharani Janpad-Pithauragarh Uttar Pradesh-262 543